Black on Grey on White

This weeks circles are beautifully shaped but still displaying a wild side (which interferes relentlessly with any attempt at time management....) I have just realised it's the end of January and I have still not got round to sharing two new books that have "hit" my bookshelf. The first is: " That's 14 in Dog Years " by Kimberly Santini . Described by the artist as and I quote: " That's 14 in Dog Years" is a beautiful summary of the over 360 paintings that were created in 2008. Including almost 120 pages packed with full color reproductions and text highlighting the year’s accomplishments, this is a book artists and animal lovers alike will treasure." It's a wee bit more, I like to think of it as a "treasure trove book" filled with delicious, bright and vibrant dog portraits. Able to capture in simple accurate brush strokes so much energy, affection and precision, the artist's work come alive on the page. I first post...

Secret Knowledge (New and Expanded Edition): Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters by David Hockney Start of a new month, time for another wee book review. In the spotlight today is David Hockney's "Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters". Great book. I love controversy especially when it targets the art world, when it stirs up the way we perceive and look at great masterful works of art; when it throws a whole new massive spanner into the works. Optics or eyeballed? That is the question. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I savoured it because of the artwork and the new light shining on them. (I still find myself today picking it up to satisfy a looming question, checking out uncertainties.) The author has written a good book without long and technically soporific dissertations but with, beautifully illustrated examples and to the point explanations. I found it thrilling in its controversy and inspiring through the art portayed. Inter...

Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting by Ian Roberts Starting this week off  with a twist,  a short (yet serious enough) book review. This book has brought me so much sharing is a must.  This is quite simply The BOOK that changed my approach to composition. The book that brought me up a whole new level as an artist able to understand composition. A definite reference and "forever book" for any artist looking to acquire more knowledge and take the right steps in getting there. The one element I particularly enjoy is the layout: carefully thought through and user-friendly. This adds heaps to the enjoyment of learning something that can be down right boring. Roberts keeps all the elements he wants us to discover flowing smoothly and effortlessly on well written, illustrated and printed pages. This edition also comes with a cd. A great wee bonus to help highlight and clarify the content of the manuscript by visually illustrating...

I am busy putting pile of summer literature together.  My objective for these holidays is to take some hand-picked "work" books away with me.  To work without working! The drawing board will be staying in my studio but my sketch pad, books and camera will be all be packed with loads of TLC. Another cool new feature I've added to the right hand margin is on my bookshelf .  All the books I have featured on this bookshelf are actually physically present on my real wooden (crowed) bookshelves, some I have read. The ones I haven't are being packed. The other part of my cunning plan is to share them with you over the coming months. Many of you may have remembered I started with Rien Poortvliet back in May. (Great news: The Gnomes is most definately still available despite rumours of the contrary... Tried and tested: I ordered an extra copy just to be on the safe side...and it arrived safely.)   So, when I've finished the first books I will most definately post my revi...